SeaFest returns to Peterhead amid strong industry performance
Peterhead will stage the third edition of SeaFest Peterhead on Saturday 11 September 2027, organisers have confirmed, with the free-to-attend event expanding along Birnie’s Pier to include the Peterhead Port Authority jetty. The biennial festival has become a focal point for the town, celebrating the fishing industry that underpins much of the local economy.
First held in 2023, SeaFest has previously attracted around 30,000 visitors to Peterhead and is an established showcase for the whitefish sector and the businesses that support it. The event has grown to involve a broad cross-section of the community and supply chain: more than 150 local businesses are expected to take part in 2027, offering entertainment, demonstrations and food experiences aimed at all ages.
Industry context: growth in landings and value
The festival’s return coincides with notable activity across Scotland’s seafood industry. In the most recent comparable figures, Scottish vessels landed 561,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish in 2024, with a real-terms value of £756 million (adjusted to 2024 prices). That level of output represented the highest tonnage and value seen in a decade, and was ahead of the previous year on both volume and value.
At the local level, Peterhead Port Authority reported record gross landings of more than £341 million in 2025, reinforcing the town’s role as the UK’s leading fishing port. The wider Aberdeenshire contribution to the Scottish fishing economy was also significant, with an approximate gross value added (aGVA) of £199 million in 2023, accounting for half of the national total.
| Statistic | Figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish landings (tonnes) | 561,000 | 2024 |
| Scottish landings (real-terms value) | £756 million | 2024 |
| Peterhead gross landings | £341 million+ | 2025 |
| Aberdeenshire aGVA (fishing) | £199 million | 2023 |
Organising team changes and local leadership
The volunteer-led organising committee will see a leadership transition ahead of the 2027 festival. Michael Bates, a former seafood industry veteran who has been a committee member since 2025, will take on the role of chairman. He succeeds Jimmy Buchan MBE of Amity Fish Company, who will remain on the committee. Laura McKay will serve as vice chair with Simone Fitzsimmons taking the role of secretary.
"SeaFest Peterhead will return on Saturday, 11th September 2027."
The event is already recognised locally for its contribution to tourism and food culture: it was named the ‘Best New Food and Drink Tourism Experience’ at the North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards in May 2024. That accolade reflects both the festival’s growing profile and the strength of the local hospitality and processing sectors that participate.
Local implications and what residents can expect
For Peterhead, SeaFest is more than a celebration: it presents a commercial and reputational opportunity. The festival attracts visitors who use town services, stay in local accommodation and spend in shops and restaurants. It also provides a platform for fish processors, retailers and hospitality operators to showcase products and build commercial links beyond the immediate region.
- Dates: Saturday 11 September 2027
- Format: free public event, expanded footprint including Birnie’s Pier and the Port Authority jetty
- Participation: expected involvement of over 150 local businesses
As planning proceeds, residents and businesses will be watching how the expanded site and volunteer leadership shape the festival’s offer and logistical arrangements. With the seafood sector reporting strong recent performance, SeaFest Peterhead is poised to highlight both the opportunities and the challenges facing a town whose identity and livelihood remain intertwined with the sea.
